CHICAGO LIQUOR LICENSE: INITIAL APPLICATION PROCESS

Meet with a Business Consultant at the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection in City Hall

Be prepared to answer all questions about your proposed operation

The Business Consultant may also assist with obtaining building permits or any other city services needed

Complete a Written Application that is presented to the Department of Zoning

After obtaining approval from the Department of Zoning, file the application with the application fee with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection in City Hall

Upon filing, the Business Consultant will provide a list of all documents required, schedule all required inspections, and prepare any required public notifications

All items need to be completed within 30 Days of the date the written application is filed

Inspections by the Departments of Health, Fire, and Buildings and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

Undergo Background check and spouses of owners need to submit a Spousal Affidavit

Notify the Public

Submit all remaining documents

Application review – A decision is issued 60 days after all documents are submitted to the city

CHANGING OWNERSHIP OF A LIQUOR LICENSE

Businesses holding a liquor license must report changes in ownership or corporate officers to the City within 30 days.
There is a different application process for each of these three types of ownership changes:

“Type I – Change of Officer Application”: Business is simply removing an officer and not seeking to replace the officer.

Submit a notarized letter to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection in City Hall

No application or fee required

“Type II – Change of Officer Application”: Business is removing an officer and seeking to replace that officer.

File a Type II Change of Officer Application

Include corporate minutes reflecting the change, an Individual History Form, and Photo ID for each new officer

Filing Fee applies

“Type III – Change of Officer Application”: Ownership of the business has changed.

File a Type III Change of Officer Application

Follow the steps required when applying for a new license

Filing Fee applies

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Individual History Form for each individual owning 5% or more interest in the business

RESTRICTIONS & SPECIAL REGULATIONS TO BE AWARE OF

Zoning

Learn the zoning designation of your business location at https://gisapps.cityofchicago.org/zoning/.

Restrictions & Dry Areas

Your business cannot be located in an area where liquor sales are prohibited.

Liquor licenses are not permitted within 100 feet of a library, church, school, hospital or home for aging adults.

Some precincts have been voted dry through a local referendum and do not permit the sale of any alcohol.

Moratorium Districts

New liquor licenses will not be issued in areas that have been designated as a “Liquor Moratorium.” However, an existing liquor license may be transferred.

Inspections

Passing inspections is a major component of the liquor license application process. Because they are so integral, the City offers monthly inspection workshops to help new business owners prepare. Checklists are also available on the City’s website.

Neighborhood Acceptance

After the application is filed, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will mail a notice to the registered voters who live within 250 ft. of the business. The community is granted a “public comment period” in which they may object to the issuance of the liquor license.

COST OF LICENSES

The following is a list of fees associated with each type of liquor license in the City of Chicago. Each city/village has a different cost with the City of Chicago typically having the highest fess..